Unlock instant, AI-driven research and patent intelligence for your innovation.

Control strategy for a dual crankshaft engine coupling arrangement

a control strategy and crankshaft technology, applied in the direction of mechanical actuated clutches, interengaging clutches, gearing, etc., can solve the problems of low load requirements, limited performance expectations, and low fuel efficiency of existing vehicle designs

Inactive Publication Date: 2007-11-27
FCA US
View PDF7 Cites 13 Cited by
  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a method for controlling a dual crankshaft engine by connecting two engines using a clutch. The method involves determining the position of the throttle body to regulate power output from the engines, setting a speed for the engines to achieve the desired power output, and compensating for the throttle body position. The method also includes determining whether the engines are in phase and actuating the clutch accordingly. The technical effect of this patent is to provide a reliable and efficient control method for dual crankshaft engines that ensures optimal performance and fuel efficiency.

Problems solved by technology

For example, four cylinder engines are typically used for commuter vehicles which are compact and typically have low load requirements and limited performance expectations.
Some of the existing vehicle designs have suffered from low fuel efficiency due to the fact that the internal combustion engine for the vehicle has to be designed with a sufficient capacity to meet the high torque demands that are only occasionally required.

Method used

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
View more

Image

Smart Image Click on the blue labels to locate them in the text.
Viewing Examples
Smart Image
  • Control strategy for a dual crankshaft engine coupling arrangement
  • Control strategy for a dual crankshaft engine coupling arrangement
  • Control strategy for a dual crankshaft engine coupling arrangement

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

first embodiment

[0024]the coupling device, according to the principles of the present invention, is shown in FIG. 2. The coupling device 34 couples the two engine crankshafts 24, 32 in series such that a primary engine, connected directly to a transmission can be used to propel a vehicle for a majority of its operating time, and a second engine crankshaft can be coupled to the first engine when additional power is needed for rapid accelerations or high load operating conditions.

[0025]As shown in FIG. 2, the primary engine crankshaft 24 is connected to a starter clutch assembly 50 that is engageable to provide driving torque from the primary engine crankshaft 24 to the secondary engine crankshaft 32. The starter clutch assembly 50 includes a clutch disc 52 connected to the primary engine crankshaft 24 by an angular specific spline 54 on the crankshaft 24. The clutch disc 52 is also connected to an angular specific dog clutch 56 which may slide along the splined portion 54 of the primary crankshaft 2...

second embodiment

[0033]With reference to FIG. 3 wherein common reference numerals are utilized to represent the same or similar elements, a coupling device 34′ which utilizes an overrunning clutch instead of a dog clutch will now be described. Since the structure and operation of the starter clutch 50 is the same as that described with reference to FIG. 2, the structure and operation thereof will now be described with regard to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3. The coupling device 34′ is provided with a primary crankshaft 24 that includes an angular specific spline 110 which supports an angular specific overrunning clutch portion 112. The secondary engine crankshaft 32 is connected to a clutch plate / carrier 58′ by an angular specific spline 60. An opposite side of the angular specific overrunning clutch 114 is connected to the clutch plate / carrier 58′ by an angular specific spline 116. The angular specific overrunning clutch 112, 114 and its angular-specific spline connection 110, 116 to the primary e...

third embodiment

[0036]FIG. 4 provides a detailed cross-sectional view of a coupling device, according to the present invention. The coupling device 34″ of FIG. 4 includes a hub 120 that is adapted to be mounted to the primary crankshaft 24. A clutch disc assembly 122 is mounted to the hub 120 by a spline connection 124. A pressure plate 126 is engageable with the clutch disc assembly 122. The clutch disc assembly 122 includes a dog clutch 128 on a face thereof that opposes a corresponding dog clutch portion 130 of a clutch plate carrier 132 which is adapted to be mounted to the secondary crankshaft 32 by a flex plate 134 which is provided with a plurality of holes for receiving fasteners for mounting the flex plate 134 to the second crankshaft 32. A pressure plate 136 is supported within the clutch plate carrier 132 for axial movement therein and includes radially extending fingers 138 which engage the clutch plate carrier 132 for driving rotation therewith. The radially extending fingers 138 of th...

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to View More

PUM

No PUM Login to View More

Abstract

A control method for coupling a first engine to a second engine in a vehicle includes determining a current position of a throttle body that regulates power output from the first and second engines. Determining a set speed for the first and second engines that corresponds to a desired power output from the first and second engines. Determining a compensation position for the throttle body and moving the throttle body to the compensation position. Actuating a clutch to a closed position such that the first engine is coupled to the second engine. Determining whether the first engine and the second engine are in phase. Actuating the clutch to slip if the first engine is not in phase with the second engine and actuating the clutch to the closed position when the first engine and the second engine are in phase.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to a power unit for a vehicle and more particularly, a control strategy for a dual crankshaft engine coupling arrangement.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Internal combustion engines have been used for many years for providing motive power for driving a vehicle. Most vehicles on the road today are provided with either a four, six, or eight cylinder engine which is selected based upon the typical torque demand requirements for the individual type vehicle being designed. For example, four cylinder engines are typically used for commuter vehicles which are compact and typically have low load requirements and limited performance expectations. Six cylinder and eight cylinder engines are typically employed in larger vehicles wherein larger load carrying capacity and higher performance are expected. Some of the existing vehicle designs have suffered from low fuel efficiency due to the fact that the internal combustion engine for the...

Claims

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to View More

Application Information

Patent Timeline
no application Login to View More
Patent Type & Authority Patents(United States)
IPC IPC(8): F16H37/06B60W10/02B60W10/04
CPCB60W10/02B60W30/182B60W30/188F16D11/14F16D13/04F16D48/064B60W10/06Y10T477/79B60W2710/025F16D2500/1025F16D2500/10412F16D2500/1045F16D2500/106F16D2500/3067F16D2500/50227F16D2500/5043F16D2500/70426Y10T74/19014
Inventor CHERRY, JEFFREY PKONSTANTAKOPOULOS, GEORGEBARNHART, STEVEN ACARRIERE, DONALD L
Owner FCA US